Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan admits their shock League Cup exit against Southampton was a “wake-up call” as they attempt to dethrone Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo scored City’s goals at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, handing them a 2-0 quarterfinal loss despite not making a single shot on goal.

The visitors, who have won the competition eight times, were unable to mount a comeback, not even after Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland were brought on as substitutes in the second half.

On Saturday, the defending Premier League champions face Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Gundogan claimed there was no room for error.

“There’s no room for any mistakes, or for any poor performances,” said the Germany international, whose team are five points behind pacesetters Arsenal.

“Hopefully, if there is something good we can take out of this game, it was something like a wake-up call at the right time.

“Even though it is sad and disappointing to be out of this cup, hopefully, at the end, in a few weeks we can at least look back and take something good out of this game.”

Photo by EPA/Adam Vaughan